Kent State’s Pro Day on March 19th went under the radar, with hardly any press releases or media coverage.
However, judging from the team’s Instagram page, five Golden Flash seniors participated. NFL Draft Scout provides Pro Day results for four Kent State draft prospects while Relative Athletic Scores are available for all five Pro Day participants.
Numbers from RAS.football are used with the express written permission of the site’s founder, Kent Lee Platte.
SAF Dallas Craddieth
Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Elevator Pitch:
Craddieth totaled 11 career tackles between stops at Iowa and Kent State. At five-foot-11 and 207 lbs, Craddieth is a tad small for safety but can contribute immediately on special teams.
Draft Projections:
- Not available
Measurables (as of Pro Day):
- Height: Five-foot-eleven
- Weight: 207 lbs
Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 38
- Vertical Jump: 29.5 inches
- Broad Jump: Nine feet, two inches
- 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.39 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.39 seconds
Relative Athletic Score:
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)
Relative Athletic Score Comparisons:
- Jameel Jackson (2017)
- KJ Kinsler (2023)
- Jarvis Williams (1988)
DT Javier Duran
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Elevator Pitch:
Duran was a steady performer throughout his career. In 19 games with Tarleton State, Duran totaled 43 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks, earning all-WAC honors in 2021. Duran ended his lone season at Kent State with 12 tackles and a half-tackle-for-loss. At 6’2” 280, Shelton has solid size on the interior of a 4-3 scheme.
Draft Projections:
- Not available
Measurables (as of Pro Day):
- Height: six-foot-two
- Weight: 280 lbs
- Hand: nine and five-eighth inches
- Arm: 31 and three-eighth inches
- Wingspan: 77 and one-eight inches
Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):
- 40-Yrd Dash: 5.34 seconds
- 20-Yrd Split: 3.03 seconds
- 10-Yrd Split: 1.88 seconds
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 38
- Vertical Jump: 31 and one-half inches
- Broad Jump: Nine feet, one inch
- 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.88 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 8.07 seconds
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Isaiah Iton (2024)
- Brandon Whiting (1998)
- Cedric Woodard (2000)
CB D.J. Miller
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Elevator Pitch:
D.J. Miller was a steady performer and a bright spot on bad Kent State teams the past two seasons. Miller recorded 113 of his 131 career tackles in 2022 and 2023, including a career-high 63 stops in 2022. He also showcased strong instincts defending the pass, accumulating 11 pass breakups over his career.
Draft Projections:
- Not available
Measurables (as of Pro Day):
- Height: Five-foot-eleven
- Weight: 185 lbs
- Hand: 09 and one-quarter inches
- Arm: 29 and five-eighth inches
- Wingspan: 74 and one-fourth inches
Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):
- 40-Yrd Dash: 4.54 seconds
- 20-Yrd Split: 2.57 seconds
- 10-Yrd Split: 1.59 seconds
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: N/A
- Vertical Jump: 38.5 inches
- Broad Jump: N/A
- 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.20 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.65
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Christian Braswell (2023)
- Terrance Frederick (2012)
- Steve Gregory (2006)
OLB Devin Nicholson
Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Elevator Pitch:
Nicholson offers plenty of experience. Before his brief stint at Kent State, he was a contributor at Missouri, compiling 152 tackles and nine tackles for loss. Injuries derailed his senior season at Kent State, but Nichols made an impact when he was on the field. In nine games, he made 53 tackles with 4.5 of those occurring behind the line of scrimmage. He is undersized, but can immediately make an impact as a special teamer.
Draft Projections:
- Not available
Measurables (as of Pro Day):
- Height: six-foot-two
- Weight: 226 lbs
- Hand: nine and three-quarter inches
- Arm: 32 and five-eighth inches
- Wingspan: 78 and three-quarter inches
Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):
- 40-Yrd Split: 4.66 seconds
- 20-Yrd Split: 2.69 seconds
- 10-Yrd Split: 1.63 seconds
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20
- Vertical Jump: 36 inches
- Broad Jump: Nine feet, 10 inches
- 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.43 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 7.22 seconds
Relative Athletic Score:
Kent Lee Platte (RAS.football)
RAS Comparisons:
- Stephan Davis (2022)
- Terence Garvin (2013)
- Mike Needham (2018)
SAF Bryce Sheppert
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Elevator Pitch:
Bryce Sheppert was arguably the heart and soul of Kent State’s 2023 defense. He led the Golden Flashes in total tackles (79) and broke up eight passes, including one interception. Sheppert can also immediately contribute on special teams. He averaged a respectable 22 yards per return on 14 opportunities for the Golden Flashes last season.
Draft Projections:
- Not available
Measurables (as of Pro Day):
- Height: five-feet-nine
- Weight: 182 lbs
- Hand: eight and three-eighth inches
- Arm: 28 and seven-eighth inches
- Wingspan: 70 inches
Skill Drill Numbers (as of Pro Day):
- 40-Yrd Split: 4.50 seconds
- 20-Yrd Split: 2.60 seconds
- 10-Yrd Split: 1.57 seconds
- 225 Lb. Bench Reps: 13
- Vertical Jump: 40.5 inches
- Broad Jump: 10 feet, two inches
- 20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.20 seconds
- 3-Cone Drill: 6.96 seconds
Relative Athletic Score:
RAS Comparisons:
- Thomas Everett (1987)
- Marquez Pope (1992)
- Keenan Reid (2023)